Bodyline bowling, unlimited bouncers should be back in Test cricket: Shoaib Akhtar

Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar has demanded the return of bodyline bowling in longest format of the game. The Rawalpindi Express has also asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to remove restrictions on the number of bouncers to be bowled in an over.

To note, the bodyline or fast leg theory of bowling was first used by England team during the 1932-33 Ashes series. The theory involves hurling the ball at the batter’s body. As a result, the batters are forced to either play the ball or get hit on body. However, the rule was removed quickly. To note, Test bowlers have been restricted to bowl a maximum of just two bouncers every over since 1994.

The Rawalpindi Express has been a lethal fast bowler during his playing days. The 46-year-old holds the record of bowling the fastest legal delivery and openly admits that he tried to chop former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting’s head off.

I want some character: Shoaib Akhtar

The former Pakistan pacer has emphasized on the fact that modern-day players have become soft and there is no aggression left. Hence, Akhtar has called for a return of the old rules to give Test cricket ‘character’.

‘Nowadays, they [modern cricket players] are very soft. I don’t think the aggression is as much there now. I don’t know why. I’m old school, like Ian Chappell. I want unlimited bouncers. Bodyline bowling should be allowed. Why not? I want some character,’ Akhtar was quoted by Daily Mail.

Akhtar also recalled the famous 2004-05 Test series against Australia wherein he tried to unsettle the batters with his lethal bouncers.

“During the Test match, I thought (if nothing is happening) let’s hurt somebody. That’s why I bowled the fastest spell. I wanted to see if Ricky can match my pace and I was purposely bowling bouncers (to) see if I could beat him but before that I had never beaten him with my sheer pace,” he added.